Crystal River current., 1887-04-02

70
just called to aak why Bobby has not
been to school to day."
-s''.I am very sorry, miss, but I~could
not get him to go."'
"Why?"
"He would not 60 without his boots,
and they won't hang on any Ion ger.
1s1s your husband still out of work?
Eyes. MISS" said the women, sadly:
Tits justsover three months now since
he earned penney"
'"But you get help from the parish!''
Not . farthing- they say we must
go into the House.; they will not give
outdoor relief; and Jim, he's set
against taat. He can't bear the idea
of breaking up the home, poor as it is;
besides, We don't want to make pau
pers OF our children"
There was quite flash OF pride in
the poor moman's white, hungry face
as she spoke.
but you can not go like thisl" said
Miss Burton gently.
''Jim's got hopes OF a job in week
or two-he has been half promised,
and it may lead to something con-
stant. 1 go out washing and char
ing four days a week, so II we can only
hold out little longer things may get
a bit brighter soon. III it wasen't for
the little ones should not mind, but
it's hard to see them hungry and the
cupboard empty" The mute suffer
ing in the woman's face was far more
painful to witness than a demonstra-
tive grief
Miss Burton laid her hand on her
arm and said: "Try and bear up,
Mrs. Collier; you have at least the
consolation OF knowing you do your
best. AS to Bobby, tell him that he
is to come to school tomorrow. ]
will arrange about some new boots.
l mean we will see to it among u.s."
Not waiting to hear the woman q
thanks, the teacher hurried away.
Dinner was over in Propriety Square.
The children, who always came down
to dessert, had been captured and car
ried off by their nurse. Mr.. and Mrs.
Chilblud had indulged in quiet con-
versation about the arrangements for
Ethel's departure; for Mr.. Chilblud
had managed to see the doctor, who
highly approved OF the country plan.
Consequently, it was to be put into
execution without loss OF time.
"We shall miss her dreadfully,"
said Mrs. Chilblud, with tears in her
eyes.
"Of course we SHALL" asserted her
husband. "but it is q case in which we
must make our feelings subservient to
the child's benefit" and with what
sounded like a sigh he took out his
tablets to look over some memoranda
penciled on them.
Mrs. Chilblud bent over her work,
and there was silence, save for the
cracking OF the fire and the subdued
ticking of the timepiece.
1t was a cold, chill evening, and the
room looked very comfortable with
its handsome furniture, rich, soft
carpet, and heavy plush curtains, on
all of which the freight threw thou
sand dancing CLEANS.
"Joseph," said Mrs. Chilblud, sud-
denly looking up from her work. ~
want to ask you something"
II am all attention." replied her
lord and master.
II was reading in the paper this
morning about "a child dying from
overpresnre. Is it true? DO they
really make them work so hard in
these Board Schools?" Mrs. Chill
blud's eyes were full of pitying won
der, which her husbands cold orbs
quickly quenched.
MY dear, pray do not you indulge
in the absurd, mock sentimentality
that is SO much in vogue at the pres
ent time. These prople-the parents
whose children can for nominal sum
receive an excellent education-hate
to be dragged from their wretched-
ness and ignorance. Born in vice
and darkness themselves, they would
rear their offspring the same way
they put forward every obstacle to
prevent the children's attendance at
chool, and when forced to send them,
they make complaints about the
amount OF work. Those cases OF
which you speak are rank impositions
to work on the feelings OF the public"
"But there was a letter the other
day, signed "A Teacher stating that
far to, much is expected from young
children. Did you see it?"
II can not say I did not; but l
know the style OF the thing. l came
across a young woman only this
morning who is, I should imagine,
just the one to air her foolish notions
in that way; but probably she will
have leisure for reflection presently,
for doubt if she will be retained on
the staff after send in my report. I
am determined-fully determined-to
do all l can to crush out this abomin-
able spirit OF resistance to the ad-
vauce of education and the upholding
of discipline.
Eyes Joseph" said Mrs. Chilblud,
returning to her work, convinced
that her husband was, without ex-
the wisest, most far-seeing
and learned of men.
He Certainly Puts His Foot in 1t.